EXPORT TRADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 97, 27 April 1933, Page 8

EXPORT TRADE.

OPPORTUNITY FOR N.Z.

AUSTRALIA AND EAST.

COMMISSIONER'S VIEW.

Opportunities for increased trade were brought before the notice of members of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce by Mr. R.. J. Schmitt, New Zealand Trade and Tourist Commissioner in Australia, at a lunch meeting held to-day in Milne and Choyce's reception hall. There was a large attendance, with the president, Mr. Harvey Turner, in the chair.

Mr. Schmitt first referred to trade between Australia and New Zealand, which, he said, had increased during the past twelve months. Australia was New Zealand's second best customer, being approximately £500,000 better than the United States. Exports to Australia in 1932 had been valued at £1,450,000, compared with £1,200,000 in 1931. Of these totals Auckland had contributed £309,000, compared with £215,000 in 1931. Items in which increases had occurred of ew Zealand exports to Australia in 1932, as compared with 1931, included the following: Fish, 13,784cwt to 17,988 cwt (the value of the increase represents £6000); sausage casings, 190,0001b to 270,0001b; hides and skins, £93,000 to £150,000; phormium tenax, 1038 tons to 2085 tons; grass seed, 10,491cwt to 13,188cwt; pumice, 2198. tons to 3045 tons ; timber, 16,800,000 feet to 26,200,000 feet ; sugar of milk, 92,0001b to 172,0001b.

Fish exporters had been playing their part in this etxension of trade. They should be careful of packing their fish and might wel ltake a leaf out of the book of South African exporters. That Australians were ready to co-operate in such matters would be judged from the fact that the New South Wales Government recently dispatched an express train with refrigerated wagons filled with a big New Zealand fish consignment for Brisbane. When the new trade agreement came into operation New Zealand traders would probably-find fresh opportunities for etxending their output, and in this connetcion Mr. Schmitt said his department would be ready to assist in every possible way.. Eastern Markets. Passing on to trade with the East, Mr. Schmitt said that, despite many difficulties, he was satisfied that New Zealand could obtain some share of the large and increasing business which Australia was conducting with Eastern countries. In the Netherlands East Indies, the very name of New Zealand conveyed a goodwill which was certain to be reflected in a share of what trade was available. Direct shipping was, of course, essential, and he suggested that the route to be traversed should include Brisbane (and possibly Sydney), Java, Singapore, Ceylon, South India and Mediterranean countries. Mr. Schmitt quoted the following list of items, with values, exported by Australia to the East, including Mediterranean ports, which could be supplied from New Zealand, provided quality and price were competitive:— Butter and chceso £750,000 Milk and cream 550,000 Infants' and invalids' foods .. 70,000 Tallow 800,000 Beef (frozen) 150,000 Bacon and hams 70.000 Mutton and lamb 35,000 Tinned meats 30,000 Poultry 20,000 Apples » 50,000 Jams and jellies 30,000 Leather I 160,000 Soap 20,000 £2,215,000 "Keen Business Men." In seeking to exploit these markets, said Mr. Schmitt. New Zealanders would discover that the Chinese and Dutch traders were amongst the keenest and ablest business men in the world, and prices would have to be competitive and quality satisfactory. In this connection he had noted that New Zealand butter in Singapore commanded a premium over all other brands. In the early stages of development he suggested a national advertising campaign to push our produce, and recommended newspaper advertising, which there as here was the best means of exploiting the market. In moving a vote of thanks to the speaker, Mr. H. E. Vaile quoted instances from his own personal observations which seemed to corroborate the view that there were opportunities for increased New Zealand trade in the East.